Variability in personal protective equipment in cross-sectional interventional abdominal radiology practices

Background: Patient and staff safety at healthcare facilities during outbreaks hinges on a prompt infection prevention and control response. Physicians leading these programmes have encountered numerous obstacles during the pandemic. Aim/objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate infection prevention and control practices and explore the challenges in Pakistan during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study and administered a survey to physicians leading infection prevention and control programmes at 18 hospitals in Pakistan. Results: All participants implemented universal masking, limited the intake of patients and designated separate triage areas, wards and intensive care units for coronavirus disease 2019 patients at their hospitals. Eleven (61%) physicians reported personal protective equipment shortages. Staff at three (17%) hospitals worked without the appropriate personal protective equipment due to limited supplies. All participants felt overworked and 17 (94%) reported stress. Physicians identified the lack of negative pressure rooms, fear and anxiety among hospital staff, rapidly evolving guidelines, personal protective equipment shortages and opposition from hospital staff regarding the choice of recommended personal protective equipment as major challenges during the pandemic. Discussion: The results of this study highlight the challenges faced by physicians leading infection prevention and control programmes in Pakistan. It is essential to support infection prevention and control personnel and bridge the identified gaps to ensure patient and staff safety at healthcare facilities.

Download Full-text

Optimized and Non-Optimized Personal Protective Equipment Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand: A National Cross-Sectional Survey in a Resource-Limited Setting

Environmental Health Insights ◽

10.1177/11786302211013545 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

pp. 117863022110135

Author(s):

Visal Moolasart ◽

Weerawat Manosuthi ◽

Varaporn Thienthong ◽

Uajai Jaemsak ◽

Winnada Kongdejsakda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Negative Pressure ◽

Symptom Severity ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Education Level ◽

Health Concern ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Global Public Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Infection Control Program

Introduction: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV2). COVID-19 is highly contagious, potentially fatal, and a global public health concern. Combining optimized personal protective equipment (PPE) use and hand hygiene is the best strategy for preventing COVID-19 in health care workers (HCWs). Methods: We conducted a national cross-sectional web-based survey of HCWs in the infection control program (IPC) in Thailand between May 5, 2020 and May 15, 2020. The primary objective was the prevalence of optimized PPE use amongst HCWs. The secondary objective was identification of the independent predictors of optimized PPE use. Results: We received a response from 46% of HCWs (756/1650), and all those who responded were nurse or HCWs who were registered in the IPC network. Five HCWs were excluded because of missing data, and 751 were included in the final analysis. The prevalences of PPE use were 22% (168/751) for optimized PPE use, 78% (583/751) for non-optimized PPE use, 35% (263/751) for PPE overuse, and 43% (320/751) for PPE underused. In univariate analysis, optimized PPE use was significantly associated with age, education level, knowledge of appropriate negative pressure room selection, and knowledge of apparently milder symptom severity in children than adults. In multivariate analysis, independent predictors of optimized PPE use were knowledge of appropriate negative pressure room selection (aOR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.18-3.22), the difference in symptom severity between children and adults (aOR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.37-0.81), and education level (aOR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.04-2.27). Conclusion: The prevalence of optimized PPE use amongst HCWs was 22%. Independent predictors of optimized PPE use were COVID-19 knowledge-based factors and education level. Therefore, the continued education training program should be implemented to ensure maintenance of appropriate practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Download Full-text

Work-related Injury among Welders Working in Metal Workshops of Dharan Municipality, Nepal

Journal of Nepal Health Research Council ◽

10.3126/jnhrc.v16i2.20302 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 156-159

Author(s):

Anup Ghimire ◽

Shyam Sundar Budhathoki ◽

Surya Raj Niraula ◽

Abha Shrestha ◽

Paras K Pokharel

Keyword(s):

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Work Related ◽

The Past ◽

Occupational Characteristics ◽

Recorded Data ◽

The Relationship ◽

Structured Questionnaire

Background: Injuries are a problem worldwide in all occupations. Welders are exposed to many hazards at work resulting in a variety of health problems including injuries at work. This study was conducted to find out the prevalence and factors associated with injuries among welders in Dharan city of eastern Nepal.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 86 welders in Dharan city. Occurrence of injury in past 2 weeks and past 12 months were recorded. Data regarding sociodemographic along with occupational characteristics was collected using semi structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 17.Results: All the welders in this study were male with almost half of the welders under the age of 25 years and about a fifth (21.1%) of the welders having received some form of welding training. In the past 12 months, 21.1% of the welders suffered from work related injuries. More than 95% welders used at least one personal protective equipment in this study. More injuries were seen among welders with age ≥35 years, working experience ≥ 5 years, not received training and not using of PPE at work. However, these factors were not found to be statistically significant.Conclusions: Work related injuries are high among welders of Dharan. Further research is required to explore the relationship between age, literacy, training and use of personal protective equipment with the occurrence of injuries among the welders.

Download Full-text

COVID-19 infections among Healthcare Workers and Transmission within Households

10.1101/2020.06.12.20129619 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Kevin L. Schwartz ◽

Camille Achonu ◽

Sarah A. Buchan ◽

Kevin A. Brown ◽

Brenda Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Nosocomial Transmission ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Testing Bias

AbstractImportanceProtecting healthcare workers (HCWs) from COVID-19 is a priority to maintain a safe and functioning healthcare system. The risk of transmitting COVID-19 to family members is a source of stress for many.ObjectiveTo describe and compare HCW and non-HCW COVID-19 cases in Ontario, Canada, as well as the frequency of COVID-19 among HCWs’ household members.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsUsing reportable disease data at Public Health Ontario which captures all COVID-19 cases in Ontario, Canada, we conducted a population-based cross-sectional study comparing demographic, exposure, and clinical variables between HCWs and non-HCWs with COVID-19 as of 14 May 2020. We calculated rates of infections over time and determined the frequency of within household transmissions using natural language processing based on residential address.Exposures and OutcomesWe contrasted age, gender, comorbidities, clinical presentation (including asymptomatic and presymptomatic), exposure histories including nosocomial transmission, and clinical outcomes between HCWs and non-HCWs with confirmed COVID-19.ResultsThere were 4,230 (17.5%) HCW COVID-19 cases in Ontario, of whom 20.2% were nurses, 2.3% were physicians, and the remaining 77.4% other specialties. HCWs were more likely to be between 30-60 years of age and female. HCWs were more likely to present asymptomatically (8.1% versus 7.0%, p=0.010) or with atypical symptoms (17.8% versus 10.5%, p<0.001). The mortality among HCWs was 0.2% compared to 10.5% of non-HCWs. HCWs commonly had exposures to a confirmed case or outbreak (74.1%), however only 3.1% were confirmed to be nosocomial. The rate of new infections was 5.5 times higher in HCWs than non-HCWs, but mirrored the epidemic curve. We identified 391 (9.8%) probable secondary household transmissions and 143 (3.6%) acquisitions. Children < 19 years comprised 14.6% of secondary cases compared to only 4.2% of the primary cases.Conclusions and RelevanceHCWs represent a disproportionate number of COVID-19 cases in Ontario but with low confirmed numbers of nosocomial transmission. The data support substantial testing bias and under-ascertainment of general population cases. Protecting HCWs through appropriate personal protective equipment and physical distancing from colleagues is paramount.Key PointsQuestionWhat are the differences between healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers with COVID-19?FindingsIn this population-based cross-sectional study there were 4,230 healthcare workers comprising 17.5% of COVID-19 cases. Healthcare workers were diagnosed with COVID-19 at a rate 5.5 times higher than the general population with 0.8% of all healthcare workers, compared to 0.1% of non-healthcare workers.MeaningHigh healthcare worker COVID-19 burden highlights the importance of physical distancing from colleagues, appropriate personal protective equipment, as well as likely substantial testing bias and under-ascertainment of COVID-19 in the general population.

Download Full-text

Mask and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Associated Headache: A Cross-Sectional Study among the COVID-Time Physicians in Bangladesh

Headache Medicine Connections ◽

10.52828/hmc.v1i2.8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 12-22

Author(s):

K M Nazmul Islam Joy ◽

Reaz Mahmud ◽

Md Golam Rabbani ◽

Md Khairul Islam ◽

Rajesh Saha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

Download Full-text

Stockpiled personal protective equipment and knowledge of pandemic plans as predictors of perceived pandemic preparedness among German general practitioners

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0255986 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. e0255986

Author(s):

Arno Stöcker ◽

Ibrahim Demirer ◽

Sophie Gunkel ◽

Jan Hoffmann ◽

Laura Mause ◽

...

Keyword(s):

General Practitioners ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Explanatory Power ◽

Vital Role ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Pandemic Preparedness ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Determining Factor

Background The COVID-19 pandemic significantly changed the work of general practitioners (GPs). At the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, German outpatient practices had to adapt quickly. Pandemic preparedness (PP) of GPs may play a vital role in their management of a pandemic. Objectives The study aimed to examine the association in the stock of seven personal protective equipment (PPE) items and knowledge of pandemic plans on perceived PP among GPs. Methods Three multivariable linear regression models were developed based on an online cross-sectional survey for the period March–April 2020 (the onset of the pandemic in Germany). Data were collected using self-developed items on self-assessed PP and knowledge of a pandemic plan and its utility. The stock of seven PPE items was queried. For PPE items, three different PPE scores were compared. Control variables for all models were gender and age. Results In total, 508 GPs were included in the study; 65.16% believed that they were very poorly or poorly prepared. Furthermore, 13.83% of GPs were aware of a pandemic plan; 40% rated those plans as beneficial. The stock of FFP-2/3 masks, protective suits, face shields, safety glasses, and medical face masks were mostly considered completely insufficient or insufficient, whereas disposable gloves and disinfectants were considered sufficient or completely sufficient. The stock of PPE was significantly positively associated with PP and had the largest effect on PP; the association of the knowledge of a pandemic plan was significant but small. PPE scores did not vary considerably in their explanatory power. The assessment of a pandemic plan as beneficial did not significantly affect PP. Conclusion The stock of PPE seems to be the determining factor for PP among German GPs; for COVID-19, sufficient masks are the determining factor. Knowledge of a pandemic plans play a secondary role in PP.

Download Full-text

Relationship between Motivation, Knowledge, and Availability with the Use of Personal Protective Equipment

The Indonesian Journal of Occupational Safety and Health ◽

10.20473/ijosh.v8i2.2019.124-130 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 124

Author(s):

Yogi Adiputro

Keyword(s):

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Clinical Laboratory ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Strong Relationship ◽

Observational Research ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Safety Standards ◽

Clinical Laboratories

Introduction: Clinical laboratories are a kind of workplace that must be designed in strict compliance with occupational health and safety standards to create a safe work environment. Fatal work accidents can inflict injuries caused by improper use of equipment, poisoning due to chemical substances in clinical laboratories, and transmission of dangerous diseases. Methods: This is an observational research with a cross sectional approach. The population of this study was 15 health analysts in the X Regional Clinical Laboratory of East Java. The research used total sampling method, carried out from July to September 2018. The dependent variable is the use of PPE and the independent variables are the lack of control and the basic causes. Data were analyzed using Chi square and Spearman correlation tests. Results: 53.3% of the employees of X Regional Clinical Laboratory of East Java use PPE accordingly. There is a strong relationship between knowledge and the use of PPE (r= 0.607). There is a strong correlation between the motivation and the use of PPE (r= 0.600). There is a strong relationship between the availability of PPE and the use of PPE (r = 0.756). Conclusion: There is a strong relationship between knowledge, motivation, and availability of PPE with the use of PPE.Keywords: knowledge, motivation, personal protective equipment

Download Full-text

PERILAKU PENGGUNAAN ALAT PELINDUNG DIRI DAN PENULARAN PENYAKIT KULIT PADA PETUGAS TPS DI KECAMATAN SAWAHAN SURABAYA

Adi Husada Nursing Journal ◽

10.37036/ahnj.v1i2.20 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 38

Author(s):

Ni Putu Rusmini

Keyword(s):

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Disease Transmission ◽

Skin Disease ◽

Health Workers ◽

Strong Relationship ◽

Rank Test ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Spearman Rank ◽

The Government

ABSTRAKPetugas TPS atau petugas pengangkut sampah merupakan pekerja yang setiap harinya mengambil atau mengangkut sampah dari rumah ke rumah untuk dikumpulkan kemudian di pilah-pilah di TPS dan akan dikirimkan ke tempat pembuangan yang lebih besar yaitu Tempat Pembuangan Akhir (TPA). Sepanjang hari petugas TPS bekerja dengan sampah sehingga membuat mereka mempunyai risiko tinggi terkena penularan penyakit kulit, baik yang memiliki efek secara langsung maupun tidak langsung. Salah satu upaya yang dapat dilakukan untuk mengurangi resiko terkena penularan penyakit kulit adalah dengan menggunakan Alat Pelindung Diri (APD) Kurangnya kesadaran, kepatuhan dan informasi tentang risiko bahaya, sebagian dari mereka tidak tidak menggunakan APD. APD yang kurang lengkap dapat memungkinkan kontak langsung dengan sampah sehingga mengakibatkan terjadinya gangguan kesehatan salah satunya yaitu menyebabkan penularan penyakit kulit. Jenis penelitian ini adalah analitik korelasi dengan pendekatan cross-sectional. Data diuji dengan Spearman rank test. Pengumpulan data dengan cara observasi, wawancara dan kuesioner. Peneliti menggunakan metode total sampling. Hasil uji statistik menunjukkan p=0.00 (α<0.05) dan r=0.761, sehingga terdapat hubungan yang kuat antara perilaku pemakaian APD dengan penularan penyakit kulit pada petugas TPS. Oleh sebab itu, diharapkan program pemerintah dan petugas kesehatan dapat mendukung penggunaan APD sebagai upaya preventif terhadap penularan penyakit kulit pada petugas TPS.Kata kunci : sampah, petugas TPS, alat pelindung diri (APD), penularan penyakit kulitABSTRACTA garbage worker who take or hauling garbage from house to house and collected and then sorted into the TPS every day and will be sent to landfills larger is the final disposal (landfill). Throughout the day poll workers working with litter so as to make them have a higher risk of skin disease transmission, both of which have the effect of directly or indirectly. One effort that can be done to reduce the risk of skin disease transmission is to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Lack of awareness, compliance and information about the risk of harm, some of them not using PPE. APD incomplete can allow direct contact with garbage, which causes health problems one of which causes the skin disease transmission. This type of research is an analytic correlation with cross-sectional approach. Data were tested with Spearman rank test. The collection of data by means of observation, interviews and questionnaires. Researchers used total sampling method. Statistical analysis showed p = 0.00 (α <0,05) and r = 0.761, so there is a strong relationship between the behavior of the use of PPE with the skin disease transmission at the polling station officials. Therefore, it is expected the government programs and health workers can support the use of PPE as a preventative measure against the spread of skin disease at polling station officials.Keywords: garbage, garbage workers, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), skin disease transmission. DOWNLOAD FULL TEXT PDF >>

Download Full-text

FACTORS AFFECTING NURSE ANXIETY IN ROLE AS A CAREGIVER DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Nurse and Health: Jurnal Keperawatan ◽

10.36720/nhjk.v10i1.233 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 108-115

Author(s):

Yurike Septianingrum ◽

Andikawati Fitriasari ◽

Erika Martining Wardani

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Health Workers ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Chi Square Test

Background: During the Covid-19 outbreak, health workers, especially nurses, are vulnerable to potential psychological symptoms such as anxiety, which can prevent nurses from carrying out their role as caregivers in health services (Lai et al., 2020; Shanafelt et al., 2020). Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors that can influence the anxiety of nurses in playing the role of caregiver during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with a population of all nurses who met the inclusion criteria as much as 105 nurses. The research sample was selected through stratified random sampling and obtained 84 nurses. This research was conducted at RSI Jemursari Surabaya from June until September 2020. The research instruments used in this study were the demographic observation sheet, knowledge questionnaire, and the Hamilton Anxiety Rank Scale (HARS). Data analysis used Pearson chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression. Results: The results of the Pearson Chi-square test showed that of all the factors studied, only age (p = 0.004), availability of personal protective equipment (p = 0.002), and knowledge (p = 0.017) influenced nurses' anxiety. The results of the analysis using multivariate logistic regression test showed that the factor that most influenced nurses' anxiety was the availability of personal protective equipment (p = 0.001; OR = -3.062). Conclusion: Younger nurses, inadequate personal protective equipment, and less knowledgeable nurses were at high risk for more severe anxiety. Regular observation of the psychological condition of nurses and the fulfillment of the need for personal protective equipment is needed to prevent increased anxiety in nurses. Keywords: Nurse, anxiety, Covid-19, caregiver.

Download Full-text

Impact of enhanced personal protective equipment on the physical and mental well-being of healthcare workers during COVID-19

Postgraduate Medical Journal ◽

10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-139150 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. postgradmedj-2020-139150 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ramanathan Swaminathan ◽

Bimantha Perera Mukundadura ◽

Shashi Prasad

Keyword(s):

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact ◽

Mental Well Being

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the use of enhanced personal protective equipment (PPE) in healthcare workers in patient-facing roles. We describe the impact on the physical and mental well-being of healthcare professionals who use enhanced PPE consistently.MethodsWe conducted a single-centre, cross-sectional study among healthcare professionals who use enhanced PPE. A web-based questionnaire was disseminated to evaluate the effects on individuals’ physical and mental well-being. Physical and mental impact was assessed through a visual analogue scale.ResultsProspective analysis of the views of 72 respondents is reported. 63.9% were women and 36.1% were men. Physical impact included exhaustion, headache, skin changes, breathlessness and a negative impact on vision. Communication difficulties, somnolence, negative impact on overall performance and difficulties in using surgical instrumentation were reported.ConclusionOur study demonstrates the undeniable negative impact on the front-line healthcare workers using enhanced PPE and lays the ground for larger multicentric assessments given for it to potentially be the norm for the foreseeable future.

Download Full-text